May 31, 2018

Are you a WAHM (Work-At-Home-Mom) with 1-3 years of exprience and want to apply for SEO jobs? Now is the best time for you to learn SEO techniques to help you get more job opportunities by joining SEO for WAHMS, happening on June 30, 2018, 9am to 5pm at SkyLounge, 48 UnionBank Plaza, Meralco Avenue Corner Onyx and Sapphire Roads, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is about making improvements to your website, so that search engines like Google have an easier time finding it which in turn will help you gain traffic.

In this modernized world we live in where almost all of the brands and companies have their own website, only few can really understand how they can maximize the use of internet for their business.

That is why a lot of them, local and international companies hire a virtual assistant who is knowledgeable in doing Search Engine Optimization. With this comes great opportunity for those who wants to work at home.

After paying via bank deposit, email a scanned copy of the validated transaction/deposit slip to veni.anabo@manilaworkshops.com. Please indicate the training you signed up for and the name you used during registration.

May 28, 2018

CMSHS Brigada Eskwela 2018 started as early as 7am with a parade. Teachers, parents, students, school staff and volunteers came together to join in this bayanihan in cleaning our beloeved school, City of Mandaluyong Science High School, commonly called MandSci. A short program followed before we all started cleaning the school.

May 27, 2018

John and I actually like having mga Batang MandSci, our twin kids classmates and batchmates, in our home. We like cooking and serving for them. It's the washing of the dishes that's really tiring.

Juan is also going to the same school this year (yes, he passed the tests ad interviews!) I'm sure he will be bringing classmates and friends as well kaya as early as now he is helping me with the dishes. Ayaw nya daw akong mapagod. In his own words, "that's how much I love you, Mom".

Buti na lang we use Bubbleman Dishwashing Liquid, I don't worry because it's gentle on the hands kaya I'm sure Juan's hands are protected. Aside from that, Bubblemam is way cheaper than the leading brand..

May 26, 2018

Foot Zone specializes in Xiamen foot reflexology. This kind of massage restores the body’s natural equilibrium and enhance regeneration by activating pressure points in the feet. By having foot massage regularly, the stimulation of reflex points ultimately removes blockages in the energy stream, allowing the chi or life force to properly flow in the body once more.

On my recent visit at Footzone Makati, I tagged along my tukayo Joy Felizardo of Gastronomy by Joy, and her daughter Danica so they can get the feel of why I keep coming back for Footzone's Foot and Back Massage.

Spending an afternoon of such bonding with Joy was great as we were able to catch up on so many chikahan.

Call Footzone, book an appointment for their different spa/massage services and rest and relax.

May 25, 2018

Just got home from a fun Globe and DisneyLife Event at Glorietta Activity Center as Globe Unveils DisneyLife to make dreams come true anytime, anywhere and fall in love with the Disney Princesses, relive intense lightsaber action in the Star Wars saga, fight alongside your favorite superheroes from the Marvel universe, and join Woody, Buzz Lightyear among other beloved Pixar characters on their fun adventures all in just one app.

The event will run from today until Sunday and entrance is FREE! Visit all the booths #ForTheLoveOf Disney and get a chance to meet and greet your favorite characters. Enter and experience the world of Disney, as well as win cute items from Disney, Marvel and Starwars.

May 24, 2018

K-Star Road is so popular because it features the latest hallyu trend in South Korea. The road is separated into four zones: A Zone, the area between Dosan Park Sageori Intersection and Hakdong Sageori Intersection; B Zone, the area between Hakdong Sageori Intersection and Cheongdam Sageori Intersection; C Zone, the area between Cheongdam Sageori Intersection and southern crossroad of Yeongdongdaegyo Bridge; and D Zone, the area between Dosan Park Sageori Intersection and Sinsa Station Sageori Intersection. In particular, D Zone includes Sinsadong Garosu-gil Road, a popular spot in Seoul

We definitely enjoyed walking along this beautiful and expensive road!

May 23, 2018

At the heart of the hub is COEX, Korea’s largest exhibition center, where perfect infrastructure facilitates business support, accommodations, shopping and tourism. COEX is mainly used for conventions, exhibitions and other business services. Casinos, aquariums, hotels, Hallyu performance arenas, duty free shops, shopping malls and City Airport is around this area.

This is Asia’s largest underground shopping mall, with theaters, aquariums, shops and restaurants. Here you can enjoy special dishes from top-level restaurants of Seoul like the ones in Itaewon or Garosu-gil. You can also choose to pick one of the 300 restaurants here to eat something simple but delicious. COEX Mall was designed to let in sunlight as much as possible to make your shopping enjoyable.

May 21, 2018

Julia and I wanted to try Hanok wearing while visiting the palaces in our DIY Trip To Korea but to no avail, either because we there were too many people or lack of time.

Thanks heavens we went to Namsangol Hanok Village were we were able to enjoy the traditional Korean dress. Juan even joined the fun.

Namsangol Hanok Village opened in 1998 on the north side of Namsan Mountain in the center of the capital. This village has five restored traditional Korean houses, a pavilion, traditional garden, performance arts stage and a time capsule plaza, making it a perfect spot for both locals and tourists to take a leisure walk. Upon entering from the front gate, visitors will get a taste of the traditional life while escaping from the bustling city life of modern times. The traditional garden with its pavilion and the traditional houses create a peaceful ambiance before the forested Namsan Mountain. A time capsule commemorating Seoul’s 600 Year Anniversary was buried in 1994 at the highest point of the village and is scheduled to be reopened four hundred years later in 2394.

The five hanok houses were remodeled after the traditional houses of Joseon Dynasty and over a range of social classes, from peasants to aristocrats. The furniture in the houses is arranged to help guests understand the daily lives of the past, and the clean, traditional houses, as well as their antique items provide a great photo op. To protect these fragile heritages, only one of the hanok houses is open to the public. The house of Yoon-ssi of Okin-dong has been transformed into Yoon's Tearoom, where guests can enjoy traditional tea and refreshments.

Namsangol Hanok VIllage also has many traditional programs and activities to participate in. Traditional programs, such as, wearing hanbok, folding hanji (traditional Korean paper), writing in Korean, traditional tea ceremony, tradtional etiquette school and herbal medicine experience. There are also taekwondo performaces and other various performances around the village. You can also try tradtional games such as yutnori (traditional board game). You can also tour around with a tour guide that can give helpful information about the history.

May 20, 2018

It took us two walking hours to locate Bukchon Hanok Village. I almost gave up because I saw how tired my kids are but Juancho led the way and continued to cheer all of us to see this place which is home to hundreds of traditional houses, called hanok, that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. The name Bukchon means "northern village," came about as the neighborhood lies north of two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno.

Bukchon Hanok Village is surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine

Today, many of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea houses, providing visitors with an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse themselves in traditional Korean culture.

Visit to Bukchon Hanok Village is free but you may also get a tour guide to help you go or find the place. Tour to this place is usually inlcuded in package tours.

May 18, 2018

Deoksugung, also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by members of Korea's royal family during the Joseon monarchy until colonial period around the turn of the 20th century. It is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty.

Deoksugung Palace is special among Korean palaces. It has a modern and a western style garden and fountain. The Changing of the Royal Guard is in front of Daehanmun (Gate) is a very popular event for many visitors. The royal guard was responsible for opening and closing the palace gate during the Joseon Dynasty. Outside of the palace is a picturesque road with a stone wall.

May 17, 2018

I'm quite familiar with Cordlife so I did not think twice when Mommy Berlin invited me to attend PlumCare DNA Advisor event at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

The event was hosted by Iya Villania-Arellano and was attented by top executives of Cordlife and PlumCare DNA Advisor. Also at the event is Chito Miranda of Parokya ni Edgar who attested that this kind of tests is beneficial for all the family members and their next generation.

To know more about PlumCare DNA Advisor, here are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

Why should I do genetic testing?

Genetic testing is a proactive way to understand our health, and provides us with the necessary knowledge to plan our family’s healthcare management with a peace of mind. Making informed decisions about our health and lifestyle choices as a family can help in the prevention, monitoring and treatment of potential conditions.

What is the Genscreen® service – PlumCare DNA Advisor?

PlumCare DNA Advisor specializes in providing genetic testing by DNA sequencing to help us make better life choices. Our mission is to gather high quality and reliable genetic testing capabilities from around the world for consumers in Asia. Through the testing services provided, Genscreen® empowers individuals to take control of their health destiny for disease prevention and early detection.

Using Whole Exome Sequencing (WES), PlumCare DNA Advisor provides genetic testing for families. Utilizing the latest cutting-edge DNA sequencing platform, PlumCare DNA Advisor analyses the genetic makeup of every individual in the family for the risk of developing certain hereditary conditions which are actionable clinically. In some cases, if the condition is detected early, the manifestation of symptoms can be managed or even prevented with conventional medical interventions, pharmacological therapies and/or lifestyle changes.

What is Whole Exome Sequencing (WES)?

Our DNA makes up our genome which contains the genes that tell our body how to function. Each gene further consists of smaller units called exons, or collectively the exome. Our exome contains approximately 20,000 genes. WES is the process of finding out the exact composition or sequence of our exome. Although the exome makes up only a small part of our total genome (approximately 1-2%), nearly 85% of disease-causing DNA variations are found here. WES testing provides us with a cost-effective way of collecting a large amount of actionable genomic information.

When should I go for this screening?

You and your family can be tested any time at your convenience. However, early testing is recommended so that you and your family can take steps to delay, manage or even prevent the onset of potential condition(s) that you may be predisposed to as soon as possible.

Can I screen my parents (3 adults) instead of for my child?

PlumCare DNA Advisor is suitable for everyone who is intending to take active control of their health. Any member of the family can be tested. However, it will be best if the family members being tested are biologically related. One of DNA Advisor’s strengths is that we are able to provide family testing for checks on inheritance patterns. By cross-analyzing the genetic information within the family, we can better understand whether a particular genetic variant has any significance in your family’s health.

When will I receive my PlumCare DNA Advisor results?

An individualized comprehensive digital report will be available to you within 60 days from the date that your family's DNA specimens are accepted by the laboratory in the United States.*

* Terms & conditions apply.

What will the results of this genetic test offer?

Genetic testing gives us an insight into our genomic composition for risks. With this insight, we can adopt actionable healthcare measures to delay, manage or even prevent the onset of the condition that we may be predisposed to. We do not offer diagnosis nor treatment for genetic diseases. If you have previously been diagnosed with a condition, please refer to your physician for medical advice.

What should I do if it is a positive result?

You will be encouraged to arrange a call with one of our genetic counsellors from PlumCare to understand your report. The genetic counsellor may further enquire on your family history and medical information so as to provide holistic advice on managing any possible lifestyle and/or dietary changes to mitigate health risks, or even suggest additional testing (where necessary) to prevent the development of certain conditions. This genetic counselling session is a complimentary service for reports with positive results.

Who are the genetic counsellors and what can they do?

Genetic counsellors are specially trained healthcare professionals with a background in medical genetics and counselling. They are able to explain the results, guide the family on what they can do now to mitigate health risks, and provide advice on lifestyle changes to manage, delay or even prevent the onset of the condition(s) that you are predisposed to.

What do I need to do if I want to enrol for PlumCare DNA Advisor?

Call or email us to arrange for a personal consultation. Upon enrollment, a collection kit which includes either a saliva tube or a swab sponge, will be issued to each member of your family.

How do I collect the DNA specimen?

DNA collection from adults and children above the age of 6 years old will be done using a saliva tube which is included in the collection kit. Collection from children younger than 6 years old will be done using a swab sponge.

May 16, 2018

Deoksugung Palace has held a guard-changing ceremony since 1996 after thorough historical research by leading historians so I made sure to include Deoksugung Palace Changing of the Guards

in our DIY Trip to Korea.

The ceremony, which is held in front of the Daehanmun Gate of Deoksugung Palace, is a tradition similar to the Changing of the Guards at Buckingham Palace and offers a rare opportunity to experience royal culture. The royal gate is opened and closed at pre-determined times, and the gatekeepers in charge of guard duty and patrols hold a shift ceremony three times a day.

May 15, 2018

Before going to Seoul, Korea I made sure to look for a small yet roomy bag that can accommodate my passport, wallet, celphone, power bank, lipstick, hand gel and facial tissue. I found it thru Katre City Pint Bag, color Blueberry. It's a cute bag that stylishly stowed all my travel essentials.

It is crafted from calf leather, which opens wide to a beautifully unlined interior. The matching shoulder strap adjusts well to my needs and height. Best of all, the color of this City Pint complements all the clothes I wore for seven days!

May 14, 2018

Juan and I went home full of joy and tummy full from the Thai Cooking Session with Chef Queenie of Thai Queen. We learned how to prepare Som tam ma-la-kor (Papaya Salad), Gai Pad Med Ma-muang (Stir-fried Chicken with Cashew Nuts, Phad Thai (Stir Fry Thai Noodles) and Takoh Sakuh (Thai Dessert). The dishes were inspired from the real recipes used in the Royal Thai Palace.

Juan and I definitely had a kid great time while cooking classic Thai dishes. We brought home the dishes we cooked because it's John's favorite cuisine.

This cooking session was in partnership with Heritage Nuts, @HeritagePhilippines, (my favorite brand when it comes to almonds).

If you wish to learn Thai cooking, like we did, at Thai Queen, give them a call at 817-8335. Cooking session, which feautures 5 dishes. per pax is P3,500 and comes with apron, certificate, recipe cards.

May 13, 2018

Being a sucker for cheese, I could not let this day pass without attending Marcie's invite for Emborg Amazing Moms Event even though I just got back last night from a seven day trip to Seoul, Korea.

The event started as early as 10am where amazing moms were treated to a glam up session, wind down to a relaxing massage and more. Everyone enjoyed Emborg treats from start to finish. at the Glorietta 2 Activity Center.

Cooking demos and student chef cook-off also happened.

My favorite, Gelli Victor hosted the event

The event was made even more joyful when I saw my tukayo, Joy Felizardo of Gastronomy by Joy

May 12, 2018

If you frequent this blog you know very well that I post every day. For more than a week though I haven't written anything because I was busy preparing and travelling to South Korea.

I have already planned what to write in this blog for our DIY Trip to Korea the moment I get back home.

I am now home. I like Korea a lot but my schedule of what would be the first topic changed because of changed when we met this wonderful lady, and the story goes like this...

We were finding our way to go to Hotel Venue G. John and I flagged down 3 taxis already but they couldn't understand where we were going. Until came close to me and offered to give us directions using her map on her mobile phone. After 2 more tries, we still couldn't get a taxi. She then talked to then to the last driver why they refused to accept us. She explained to us in English that taxi only allows 4 passengers.

By that time she checked again our hotel and asked if we're okay to walk. She said she'll walk with us because she's going the same route for her short Englsih course. The twenty minutes walk didn't seem far as we enjoyed talking to her.

Mi-Sun is truly heaven-sent. She was our angel for that day. We will forever remember her kindness for sparing her precious time for this family who are all tired from the long travel we had for the past 3 days.

May 11, 2018

In celebration of Mother’s Day SM Supermall is having National Super Moms Day 2018 at SM Supermalls with a fun day of pampering and treats on May 13 with fun-filled activities, deals, and finds in 69 malls across the country.

“SM has truly become one-stop destination for families to bond and create special memories together,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls Senior Vice President for Marketing. “We want to make this year’s National SuperMoms Day celebration at SM more memorable with awesome experiences and deals for all the strong, hardworking, and loving moms out there.”

From May 4 to 13, you can take mom on a date and let her indulge in SM’s Treat Feast for Moms dining deals and freebies. If you don’t have a gift for her yet, you can drop by the All for Moms Bazaar for gift ideas that include sweet treats, beauty items, flowers, and greeting cards.

The season’s must-see happens on May 5, 6 or 12 – the Mom and Me Fashion Show that features twinning moms and their kids in participating SM malls. On Mom’s Day weekend, you can then show how much you appreciate mom by spoiling her with spa treatments with the Wellness Treats for Moms pampering promos.

Aside from onstage events and pampering treats, SM Supermalls also invites all families to celebrate this Mom's Day weekend (May 12 and 13) by playing the nationwide #SuperMoms Code Hunt, which is part of the ongoing #LetsPlayNowAtSM interactive digital experience campaign.

In celebration of #NationalSuperMomsDay2018, SM Supermalls invites all families to celebrate this Mom's Day weekend (May 12 and 13) and play the nationwide #SuperMoms Code Hunt.

Part of the ongoing #LetsPlayNowAtSM interactive digital experience campaign, the SuperMoms Code Hunt game encourage SM shoppers to play by simply opening their favorite QR Code Readers and hunt for #SuperMoms Code stickers that will be scattered around the mall. And just like that, they will have the chance to instantly win Mom’s Day SM gift certificates.

Aside from instant prizes, #SuperMoms Code Hunt participants are qualified to join the Mother’s Month Car Promo that will run from May 12 to May 31, 2018, wherein 1 lucky shopper will win a Suzuki Celerio! Deadline for registration of entries is until May 31, 2018 at 9PM.

The #SuperMoms campaign was launched in 2016 to pay tribute and connect with the silent superheroes of the family. Always putting their families first in everything that they do, these are the Super Mommy shoppers who have been largely part of SM’s story over the years.

For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your Mom’s Day memories at SM, the use the season’s official hashtag #NationalSuperMomsDay2018.

May 10, 2018

Nami Island, short form of Naminara Island, , is a half moon-shaped isle near Seoul. It is a favored destination both for locals and tourists because it was the film location for K-Drama, ‘Winter Sonata'. I actually didn't see this television series but because Nami Island is an amazing and unique place, who even declared its cultural independence from the Republic of Korea and called itself the Naminara Republic. One of the most special characteristics about this beautiful island is that it showcases a different, yet equally amazing, scenic experience each season so it's a must visit destination for my family's, #Mendiolables, DIY Trip To Korea.

It actually took me 3 months to decide whether to DIY or book a package at Klook for our trip to Nami Island. Mommy Cecile, who went a month before us, convinced me to book a package tour because it will be a lot of hassle to DIY since I'm travelling with 3 kids. She was right!

We were already in Seoul for three days when I booked Nami Island (along with Petit France, Garden of Morning Calm and Rail Park) at K Tour Story. One, the owner of Namsam Gil House called them up for availability. I then communicated with K Tour Story in Facebook. It was easy! I didn't even have to use credit card. They let me pay in cash, Korean won of course! I actually saved from booking at K tour Story, I paid 495,000 for the five of us. That is equivalent to P4,950/person or P24,750 for 5. Klook's rate for the same tour is P5,602, plus an additional credit card charge. You cannot book at Klook without a credit card.

Wear comfortable shoes because Nami Island requires a lot of walking. When we went there were so many people so we almost miss that spot of ‘Winter Sonata' because it is located farther.

Bring food and drinks if you want to save money. If you want to splurge though, there are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops in Nami Island. We had our lunch at Korean Restaurant Namoon. We spent around more or less P3,000.

For families with little children, I wouldn't recommend DIY-ing, but if you really want to There are many ways to reach Nami Island, but these are the most popular options.

1. By Bus: Reserve a bus seat by emailing bus@naminara.com or calling +82-2-753-1247.
2. By Train: Travel by train to Gapyeong Station. Walk or take a cab from the station to the ferry wharf. At the wharf, buy tickets to the island, which costs ₩8,000 for foreigners. B Roundtrip fare is ₩15,000. Catch the shuttle bus in Insadong (near the West Gate of Tapgol Park) or Sungnyemun Square Bus Stop in front of Namdaemun Market. Bus leaves at 9:30am. This will take you to the wharf in Gapyeong.

May 9, 2018

Samneung Park current status is now UNESCO World Heritage / Historic Site No. 205. It is a park consists of royal tombs. Paju Samneung consists of the Gongneung, Sulleung, and Yeongneung tombs.

Gongneung is the royal tomb of Queen Jangsun (1445-1461), consort of King Yejong, the 8th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. She died when she was still a crown princess, so her tomb is very simple. There is not even a “Mangjuseok”, which is the name for the pair of stones that stand on either side of the mound.

Sulleung is the tomb of Queen Gonghye (1456-1474), a consort of King Seongjong, the 9th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. Sulleung is similar to Gongneung in many ways, but it has more stonework. Queen Gonghye was the 4th daughter of Han Myeong-Hoe, a high-ranking government officer, and a sister of Queen Jangsun, who is buried in Gongneung. This was the only time in the history of the Joseon dynasty that two sisters both became queen.

Yeongneung is the tomb of the posthumously designated king, King Jinjong (1719-1728), the first son of King Yeongjo, and Queen Hyosun (1715-1751). King Jinjong became the crown prince at the age of 7, but he died when he was only 13 in Changgyeonggung Palace. Queen Hyosun became the crown princess when she was 13 years old. In 1751, she died at the age of 37 without an heir.

Operating Hours

09:00-18:30 (Mar- Oct) / 09:00-17:30 (Nov-Feb)

* Admission is 1 hour before closing.

Admission Fees

[Korean citizen]

Adults (ages 25-64): Individual 1,000 won / Group (10 people or more): 800 won

[International visitors]

Adults (ages 19-64): Individual 1,000 won / Group (10 people or more): 800 won

Children (ages 7-19): Individual 500 won / Group (10 people or more): 400 won

* Following people can enter free of charge, only accountable with appropriate ID presented.

May 8, 2018

If there is one place in Gangnam that I really like it is Bongeunsa Buddhist Temple where we got to experience interaction with a monk and temple tour for free.

Bongeunsa is a Buddhist temple located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu in Seoul, South Korea. It was founded in 794 during the reign of King Wonseong by the monk Yeon-hoe, then the highest ranking monk of Silla, and originally named Kyongseoungsa. Once known as Gyeonseongsa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple is located north of COEX, and was constructed in the 10th year of Silla King Weongseong’s reign (794). In 1498, Queen Jeonghyeon refurbished Gyeonseongsa Temple and renamed it Bongeunsa Temple.

Originally located near the Royal Tomb of King Seongjong, the temple was transferred to its current location during Joseon King Myeongjong’s reign. The temple is home to 3,479 Buddhist scriptures of 13 types, including the works of Kim Jeong-hee. The Buddhist ceremony called Jeongdaebulsa is held on the ninth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, where monks march carrying the scriptures on their heads and recite the Beopseongge (Buddhist rites).

May 7, 2018

Convenient car servicing made possible through beepbeep.ph, the country’s premiere online destination for car owners and their car related needs, is the first of its kind in the Philippines. Being completely Filipino-owned, the company and its people understand all too well the hassle that comes with car ownership.

In a place where being stuck in a traffic jam is considered the norm, accomplishing boring but necessary things such as car registration, and maintenance and mechanical repairs, use up too much time, energy, and even money.

With 150M in funding to fill gap that has long been unmet, starting with the simple idea of removing and avoiding said problems and hassles associated with owning a car, beepbeep.ph was able to generate over 150 Million Pesos in funding through the various partners, sponsors, and collaborators who believed that owning and maintaining a car does not have to be a chore.

With companies such as ASI Studios Inc., Brenmedia International Inc., and Synergy88 Realty and Development Corporation backing their endeavor, beepbeep.ph founders Anton Ojeda and Pao Acosta were able to disrupt the status quo in the car care service industry by providing clients with access to an online listing of car care service and auto repair shops in the country.

Within the span of just 8 months, beepbeep.ph has become the most comprehensive online directory for car care and related services in Metro Manila. The website boasts of listing over 6,000 car care and servicing establishments from locations all over the metro, namely: Pasig, Taguig, San Juan, Las Piñas, Valenzuela, Malabon, Quezon City, Manila, Marikina, Parañaque, Caloocan, Navotas, Makati, Mandaluyong, Muntinlupa, Pasay, and Pateros.

On top of said featured services listed on the website, beepbeep.ph also offers expert advice with regard to car needs and emergencies, as well as a booking system called Service Valet with which clients can schedule appointments for their car service needs with their preferred car care establishment.

As an expansion of the Service Valet service, beepbeep.ph offers a solution to the most common deterrent for attending to car servicing needs which is lack of time. beepbeep.ph helps car owners and motorists get their cars serviced by assisting in the scheduling, pick up, and delivery, thereby giving them a convenient and worry-free car care service. “With our time getting stretched further and further, we realized that a solution like beepbeep.ph’s Service Valet will help make people's lives a whole lot better,” says Anton Ojeda, and he couldn’t be more correct.

The Service Valet can be booked for either one way (pick up point to shop, or shop to delivery point), or round trip, definitely a first in the Philippines. beepbeep.ph has also recently launched its Road Side Assistance (RSA) program to assist motorists who happen to encounter accidents or emergencies on the road.

Both Service Valet and RSA are made possible through beepbeep.ph’s partnerships with the biggest car dealerships in the country as well as the best specialized car service shops in the metro. Some of these partners include Mitsubishi, Honda, Ford, Hyundai, Chevrolet, Kia, Peugeot, and Suzuki. According to Pao Acosta, “Our data shows that partnering with car repair shops, both big and small, is a win-win situation for both motorists and car repair shops alike.” beepbeep.ph’s service offerings are all designed with the busy car owner in mind. Since its inception in 2017, the company has armed its users, not only with the knowledge of the available garages and car care shops near them, but also with the peace of mind that in case of emergency, they can rely on beepbeep.ph.

To know more about beepbeep.ph, its services, partner establishments, rates, and ongoing promotions, visit the website: https://www.beepbeep.ph.

May 6, 2018

SM Town is the umbrella name for the recording artists under South Korean entertainment company SM Entertainment. There artists include Red Velvet, EXO, Super Junior, (F) X, Girls Generation and others.

This was part of Julia's to do list in South Korea so we braved the rain, super cold weather and long line!

May 5, 2018

LINE Friends Store and Cafe was not in my Gangnam, Korea itinerary but because it was near where we stayed for 3 days, it's really hard to miss this store while its 3.2 meters Brown Bear blinked its eyes for us to enter (lol).

Julia was very happy because LINE Friends Store and Cafe was in her to-visit-list. We wanted to have coffee and desserts but there were too many customers when we visited.

May 4, 2018

A day before going to Korea, John and I went at Elevation Salon, him to have a relaxing Scalp Massage Treatment and me to try Linkage Meu Moisturizing Hair Treatment.

Linkage Meu is a new Milbon Japanese professional conditioning hair treatment. It is a 3 step process that will deposit amino oil, moisture and will build a fresh regenerates the quality of your hair. It instantly recovers hair to its healthy and shiny structure. It has three different types of treatment developed individually for fine, medium or heavy hair types. Mine is the coarse or badly damaged hair due to hair coloring and rebonding.

This is a great treatment for busy people because it takes only about 20 minutes for the whole procedure to finish.

May 3, 2018

Although I was busy preparing for my Korea trip, I could not say no to Big Difference invite for Tabasco Cooking with Chef Ron Aguilar. First because I love Tabasco a lot! I can't eat pizza without it. Secondly, because the venue, Magsaysay Culinary School, is just 10 minutes away from my place (without traffic of course!).

The cooking event was spearheaded by Taste Setter, the company which carries Tabasco. It was a two part event – a demo in the morning and a cook-off after lunch, held at the Magsaysay Institute Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts.

I was able to finish the demonstration using different Tabasco sauces, namely Tabasco Original Red sauce, Tabasco Green Sauce, Tabasco Chipotle Sauce, Tabasco Habanero sauce and Tabasco Garlic Sauce, for viand, snacks and drinks! Yes, you read it correctly, DRINKS!

Chef Ron 's cooking tips opened my chinky eyes to the many possibilities of using Tabasco. I'm happy that we are both half Bicolanos, who certainly have the heart for spicy foods.

May 2, 2018

It has been a crazy-busy April as the Mendiolables enjoyed travelling from Manila, to Laguna, to Batangas and to Baguio as we toured my sister-in-law and her kids. More than any one, my husband is the most tired because he drove from all the places mentioned. From Baguio on the way home John said, "Babe, all I want to do is sleep the whole day after this."

I know he won't be able to sleep at home because our business is located right beside our home. A good wife just knew what to do. John needed a place where he can sleep without interruption. It was timely when I saw a photo of The Penn Room somewhere online. Long story short, we headed in Tagaytay for a day of total relaxation.

The Penn Room is located on the 4th floor of Cityland Prime Residences. John and I highly recommend this condotel unit for couples like us who needed that perfect time to relax and bond to be able to energize the body, mind, and love for each other (wink! wink!).

We like its location as it is accessible to all nearby attractions like Taal Lake, Taal Volcano, People's Park in The Sky, Sky Ranch Amusement Park. It is also just a few minutes away from our favorite View Park Hotel. where John and I had an hour of full body massage.

Restaurants abound in the area so you don't have to worry about getting hungry. We actually didn't go too far as Caffe' Nativo is just outside the building. This restaurant serves all-day breakfast, coffee, desserts and more.

Staying in The Penn Room made us feel we were in a hotel because they provided amenities offered by hotels, namely cable TV, pillow top queen size mattress, sofa bed, mini refrigerator, microwave, air-conditioning unit, kitchen area and bathroom, and fresh-sweet smelling bath towels. Of course their FREE WIFI made my stay really worth it because I was able to finish all the articles I needed to accomplish.

Second to the most important reason why we like The Penn Room is being welcomed with a smile. The owner is really accommodating with all my queries. The care taker is a bubbly woman who ade us feel comfortable upon arrival to the lobby.

The most important of all, they have a small coffee maker and even provided premium brewed coffee, which we really liked because COFFEE for us is LIFE!

To book The Penn Room, I suggest you email them directly at thepennroomtagaytay@aol.com or call/txt at 63-926-266-0032.
Unit #424 Cityland Tagaytay Prime Residences,

May 1, 2018

The month of April for my family, #Mendiolables, was super packed with travels from Manila, to Laguna, to Batangas and to Baguio as we toured my sister-in-law and her kids.

To start the month of May right, John and I greeted it with coffee and good food at Caffe' Nativo. It is our first time in this cool, colorful, full of artworks cafe and it made our stay in The Penn Room extra special. I didn't have to worry about my husband driving far just to get a cup of coffee or a sandwich because Caffe' Nativo is just right beside Cityland Prime Residences.

I do not want to be bias and ruin your expectations, just go straight to Tagaytay and visit Caffe' Nativo and they will serve you their own blend of coffee which comes from Batangas.

Watch this vlog and see how my chinky eyes feasted on the beautifully painted tables, walls and ceilings. The place is photo op worthy so be sure to be in your best OOTD when you dine in at Caffe' Nativo